Kristaps Porzingis said that the virus caused his energy to crash right before Game 1, causing him to be relegated to a bench role.

After the game, Porzingis voiced his appreciation for the Celtics' fanbase, seemingly acknowledging playing through his struggles in the process. Despite not being at his best, the Latvian big man is doing all he can to play for the fans.

The 7-3 Porzingis logged only 27 combined minutes in the Knicks’ two victories earlier this week in Boston due to what he believes “probably” are the aftereffects of an upper-respiratory viral illness that sidelined him for nine games in February and March.